Modded LSI9's

[BAD ASP]

I had the opportunity of picking up these LSI9s for what I considered cheap. I played them for awhile just to get used to their sound and contacted Ben for a XO mod. Mind you I had these in a kinda AB situation with my 1.2's so I didn't expect a lot but I must say I was pleasantly surprised.
In their original config I played them with and without the sub (SVS) and a variety of different music and I admit I enjoyed them quite a bit. They were very musical with a nice soundstage and pretty good bass presence. They became really nice with the sub but that's my taste. My reference music was Stevie Ray, ZZ Top, Dire Straits and some Doobies. I use these because I am so familiar with them and all of the licks and slides that its easy for me to get reference. The nines were nice, not as deep a stage as the 1.2s and certainly not as wide but when set at about 8'0" apart and sitting about 10'0" from them they were very pleasant.

I sent them to Ben and asked him what I should expect. He let me know that I wouldn't be disappointed. I also got a new SDA cable for the 1.2's which I will comment on later. Anywho.... I reinstalled the XO's with the new caps etc and put them on the cd loop with the above mentioned music and sat down to listen to them fresh. They sounded really good to my surprise and I left them playing like that for the rest of the night. Fired them up again the next day and I have to say that I am more than surprised. The soundstage is much wider and deeper. The articulation in the instruments is much more pronounced and the bass has some punch. I tried to get Ben to clue me as to what to expect and he basically told me to trust me ears. Well, my ears tell me that there is a marked change in the sound characteristics of these speakers and I find them thoroughly enjoyable. I played them with the sub and haven't had the chance to play them without. I am getting some new IC's from Ben as well and will be hooking them up to a Wright tube pre over the weekend for sh!@s and giggles. Il'll give my impressions of them in that config next week. Thanks again Ben, great job on these. This is my third set of XO mods that Ben has done and each of the three sets of speakers are improved measurably, at least by my ears. Anyone considering a mod of their nines I can offer my opinion that they sound much much more enjoyable then their original config. Ben has my highest recommendation once again. :D:D:D

[leroyjr1]

Did you try them with those MIT cables?

Congrats !!!! Now let's see some pics.:)

[BAD ASP]

I did Leroy. Those cables really blew away what I was using previously. I would say that the entire sound is more laid back or Quieter or...... I really don't know how to describe better in this sense. The soundstage is more accurate, there is more spatiality to the instruments and in HT use the separation of all of the little nuanced sounds coming from the soundstage is more accurate. I believe I now have some idea as to the value of upgrading speaker cables and the advantage of using better cabling when it can be done. Thanks again, I am enjoying my little mancave even more now. My friends and family have even commented on the improved sound so its not my imagination. I can also say that the OPPO is a big step up from my previous gear, again I can only imagine what the really high end equipment must be like.

[ben62670]

Thanks for the kind words. I just received the XLR ends today so I will get them out ASAP.
Enjoy
Ben

[Menasor]

Ben makes great cables, that's for sure :)

[curved]

Ben makes great cables, that's for sure :)

Agreed!! Great quality and sound!!:D

[EDUBAG]

how could i reach ben?

congrats on the speakers.

[BAD ASP]

[QUOTE=EDUBAG;1296561]how could i reach ben?

congrats on the speakers.[/Q

Thanks, typically I just type YO BEN and I hear from him otherwise try a pm here to ben62670. Great guy to deal with and his work is really top notch. EDU what are you considering?

[TouchOfEvil]

Ben does great work, i really enjoy the lsi15's he modded.:)